Eritrea: Journalist Milkias Yohannes lashes out at anti-UN sanction protesters.

On the question of whether the regime has conspired to have the sanctions imposed in order to divert public attention away from crimes and brutalities committed at home.

Milkias: It is very difficult to read the mind of this mentally unstable regime. Even seasoned politicians and Eritrean affair observers had a hard time following and explaining the reasons behind many actions and reactions of this bizarre and weird regime. It has full diplomatic relations with Israel, it has signed a pact with Iran and had supported the US invasion of Iraq, and it is an enemy of the US!…….These shows you how odd and creepy the Asmara regime is, so it is almost impossible to correctly guess and reach conclusion behind its actions on this regard. It is a classic example of a system gone insane and out of control. Personally, I believe the president is happy all this is happening, because he gets publicity and those of us who have been following his actions know well how he craves for attention even if it means the total annihilation of the Eritrean people and their aspirations.

[Eritrea] More Reactions to UN Sanctions - Q & A with Eritrean Lawyer Simon M. W/haimanot

Eritrean Government initiated anti-sanction protest marches being staged in some Western cities on Monday represent nothing but a shaky state of mind of a repressive regime that has long failed its heroic, freedom-loving people. The greater the number of misinformed marchers on the streets, the larger that perception will be magnified in the eyes of observers. Today we are talking with lawyer Simon Mebrahtu Weldehaimanot, now studying for his PhD in jurisprudence at the Notre Dame University in the United States. He is active member of two exiled associations - the Eritrean Law Society (ELS) and the London based CDRiE (Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea). Simon will give his own legal interpretation of the sanctions later in this discussion, but first his thoughts on Monday’s demonstrations:  

TALK TO AL JAZEERA: President Isaias Afwerki

 

Al Jazeera's Jane Dutton conducts a rare interview with Isaisas Afwerki, the president of Eritrea.

Al Jazeera confronted him with the allegations about Eritrea's ties with Iran, Hamas, al Shabab in Somalia and rebel groups in Sudan and Houthis in Yemen.

"This is a deliberate distortion of facts, where is the evidence, these are fabrications, where is your evidence?", he said.

"How possibly could one blame Eritrea for sympathising or supporting one group over another in Somalia we have never done that." he said.

When asked about Eritrea's relation with Ethiopia today and the border dispute he said: "This border issue war was a senseless conflict instigated by the US.

"It is a cover up for the failures of the misguided policies of the United States in the horn of Africa for the last 20 years.

Eritrea: Q & A with Mehret Ghebreyesus EPDP Executive Committee Member

Q: The sanctions are not directed at foreign investors such as Western gold mining companies operating in the country. The regime will probably soon end up making hundreds of millions of US dollars from its mining fields and the money is likely to be used for the purchase of weapons instead of uplifting the lives of Eritreans. What should be done?

MG: Indeed, unless the government changes its destructive behavior, it is only a matter of time before members of the United Nations Security Council take the extra measure to stop any loop-holes the Sanctions may have left. I also don’t expect Nevsun, a Canadian company and the others, to disregard the fact that they are dealing with a rogue government for too long. They have to answer to their shareholders who will ask about the risk associated with partnering with a government that is at odds with its own people and the rest of the world! But the fact also remains that gold will not convert an oppressive government into one that is peaceful and democratic. There needs to be a deliberate will and ideology for a government to be one that is by the people and for the people. Gold that serves the interest of a rogue government will not stop an uprising of the people for their basic rights.

Eritrea: More Reactions to UN Sanctions

A: I am not aware of this saying, but if true, then certainly that is not a good enough reason. That said, there is no doubt there is unresolved conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which makes the two sides weary of each other’s actions and movements in the region. Moreover, Ethiopia with its 85 million people is now aspiring to assert its regional hegemony. As such, it is an open secret that the Ethiopian ruling elite see Somalia as part of their “sphere of influence”, and may keep trying to extend that influence to include other Horn of Africa countries and beyond. This will always raise legitimate concerns for Eritreans and non-Eritreans, and may not help regional peace and stability. Instead, there are reasonable options to integrate the Horn of Africa region through some form of Confederation and economic integration, which can potentially minimize conflicts and open the doors for political integration in the long run.

Eritrea: Q & A with Woldeyesus Ammar – EPDP Chairman

In this interview, Wolde Yesus Ammar underscores the most pressing challenge of getting the opposition forces to speak with one voice and sheds light on some of the tools his party will use in bringing change to Eritrea. As Chairman of the new Eritrean People´s Democratic Party, Wolde Yesus believes it won´t be long before the Eritrean people seize their destiny and end tyranny. He was asked first how he characterized the merger between his own party, the Eritrean People´s Party (EPP), the Eritrean Democratic Party (EDP) and the Eritrean People´s Movement (EPM) to form the new Eritrean People´s Democratic Party (EPDP).

Eritrea: Sanctions, mergers and alliances - Q&A with EDA’s Bashir Ishaq

As Eritrea faces further isolation because of sanctions, some opposition parties are going through mergers while others try to consolidate existing alliances. This is seen by experts as a positive movement toward a more unified national resistance.  Bashir Ishaq is Foreign Affairs Head of the 13-member Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA).  Bashir is also head of the Eritrean Federal Democratic Movement which is part of a four member, mainly Moslem political grouping known as a the Solidarity Front.

Eritrea: Another view

The ambassador was accused at the conference of promising safe passage to Aster Yohannes, who was nevertheless arrested on her arrival in Eritrea. But the ambassador told me that he couldn’t guarantee safe passage to anyone and the accusation was a fabrication.
He was approached by a US congressman, Ed Royce, who gave a message to the conference. We have understood from the Congressman that Ambassador Girma Asmerom (then representing his country in the US) had reassured him personally that Aster could safely return home to look after her four small children after her husband had been arrested. Nevertheless she was arrested on arrival.

Issues and Ideas – Q & A with Suleiman Hussein CDRiE Chairman London

Q: Non violence as an instrument of change tends to be controversial. How do you relate such view to the Eritrean situation?

A: As we speak, more Eritreans believe that the non violent means of struggle is capable of bringing about the desired change in Eritrea than those who think otherwise. If properly utilised, non violent struggle is a viable and proven means of struggle capable of bringing about democracy and rule of law and justice than any other means. There are many examples to that effect while no country has ever achieved a genuine democracy through violent means. Non violent means aims primarily to mobilise the silent majority of the population, especially the youth, in favour of democratic change in the country. This is very important as there could be no positive change without winning the support of ordinary Eritreans who are the main beneficiaries of democratic change in our country. It also aims among other things to win the support of the international community in favour of peaceful transition towards democracy and rule of law in Eritrea.

Q & A with Dr Mirjam van Reisen

A good example of this is how the people of the small country of Nepal in Asia got rid of the tyranny rule of their king. I know that country well; its people are very traditional. The king was not just a symbol of power, unity and independence (against China and India!) but he was also venerated as a God. This king thought he was invincible. It is true that communication in the Himalayas is very difficult and political organizing is very complicated. But in 2007 the women of Nepal decided the rule of the king undermined stability, peace and livelihoods, and finally they took to the streets. They found that the soldiers, their own sons and daughters, supported their courage, and would not follow orders to shoot on the crowds. The King could only resign. The country now has a fragile democracy but one that is accountable to its people. It is a remarkable example of how tyranny can be overcome without bloodshed. This can happen in Eritrea too. I believe the Eritrean diaspora is looking for ways to help this happen.

Reactions to the Eritrea Sanctions

The regime’s notorious leaders will now have no additional arms to play with, their travels abroad will be banned or restricted and their bank accounts are to be frozen. This disgrace is enough to convince some of the most loyal supporters to lose faith in their inept leaders.

But one should not be surprised if some diehards try to organize anti-sanction protest marches in some US cities availing themselves of the constitutional right to demonstrate. Such a move would no doubt be supported by ‘absent’ landlords and owners of land plots snatched from impoverished and hungry peasants around urban centers and in rural areas.

Issues and Ideas: Q & A with noted Journalist Habtom Yohannes

A: President Isaias Afwerki and his cohorts have brought this disaster upon themselves and the nation. They deserve it but not Eritrea and the Eritrean people. From the regional perspective and the interest of Eritrea as a nation, I am against any sanction that weakens Eritrea but targeted sanctions that hit the regime on its Achilles heel must be welcomed by all who want a peaceful transition in Eritrea. At the same time we must be realistic. There are many countries that will breach the sanctions for their own interests. I have mentioned some of them earlier, but one can mention also different countries in the Middle East and in the former Soviet Union that will supply the Afwerki government with every support it needs. Sanctions haven't worked miracles in Burma, North Korea, Cuba, Zimbabwe and Iran. Even targeted sanctions alone won't bring quick change in Eritrea. Lasting change is only possible from inside with genuine outside support.

Eritrean refugee and famine crises underscored in talks with US officials, says Seyoum Tesfaye

Q. Can you name any negaftive factor that is hampering movement toward a bold diplomatic engagement?

A. There is the politics of shoring up your immediate constituency even at the cost of the long-range national solution. Rallying the believers and wining the argument of the day without any concern for the residual effect that will frustrate future relationships is endemic to Eritrean politics. We have to take this as part of the ongoing challenge even when we are now slowly entering the international playing field and our efforts, skills and ability to understand the rule of the game are being quietly observed. This is not going to be easy as the evidence already shows.

I take the two meetings (with all their shortcomings) you mentioned as the early stages of our venture to the outer orbits of the diplomatic engagements. For the EU and the US Executive leaderships to take us more seriously and consider us as a critical actor and factor in the search for a solution for the Eritrean national crisis, we have to demonstrate that we have a seasoned understanding of the process of engagement and we cannot impose our definition of politics on established international institutions. It has not worked for the ‘firebrand super-revolutionary’ Isiaias, it will not work for those of us who are struggling for rule of law, democracy, justice and human rights. We need to slow down, breathe deep and digest this point. In the long run, it will serve our people well

Eritrea: Interview with W. Ammar on UN plans to sanction the Isaias regime

The international community is on the verge of meting out a collective punishment on the Eritrean political and military leadership. The proposed UN sanctions will be the harshest ever imposed on an African nation in recent memory. The Eritrean government says it is not concerned. Michael Abraha spoke to Woldeyesus Ammar, Chairman of the Joint Committee of three merging parties – the Eritrean Democratic Movement, Eritrean Democratic Party and the Eritrean People’s Party. Michael first asked him if it was time for President Isaias and his regime to be worried about their future.

Woldeyesus Ammar: Yes, I believe it is indeed time for Isaias and his henchmen to be extremely worried about their future. I think they already know the all-round gloomy days ahead of them. As stated in your question, the proposed UN sanctions are pointedly intended to target the core political and military/security establishments of the repressive Eritrean regime. This time, the UN Security Council is not talking of general sanctions which it cannot impose without adversely affecting the people. The talk now is about selected sanctions, and Isaias knows the veto powers can finally agree to impose targeted sanctions whose effect can eventually dislodge him from power. Therefore, the very bluffing of Isaias and his parrots of not being “concerned” about selective sanctions says a lot about their deeply felt fear of an “action” that Hilary Clinton voiced last August and what the UN Security Council is drafting now. This is about the ban of sales of weapons into and out of Eritrea; of freezing funds, and restriction of travel to Eritrean political and military leaderships. These selected measures can seriously harm the survival of the petty dictatorship in Eritrea.

Eritrean interests “well represented” at EU Meeting

European and American officials are joining hands with Diaspora Eritrean politicians and activists aimed at ending relentless human rights abuses under a ruthless dictatorship in Eritrea. The two-day conference underway in Brussels is discussing, among other things, the urgent need to coordinate EU and US policies on Eritrea and the Horn Region. The meeting is being closely watched by many governments and the world media especially because of Eritrea’s alleged involvement in terror and piracy ridden Somalia. Michael Abraha had a phone interview Saturday with Abdurahman Sayed, Executive member of Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea (CDRiE) and spokesman for the Eritrean group at the Brussels event. Michael first asked him what the criteria were to choose panelists for the conference: